12 h. ago Erling Haaland irresistible as Manchester City roll over Villarreal

Villarreal were Erling Haaland’s latest victims, a ninth consecutive Manchester City game clocked up with the Norwegian scoring. This time it was the first on the way to a largely comfortable 2-0 win in Spain that suggests that a team is emerging once again, with Bernardo Silva scoring the second in a first half of notable superiority before a second in which there were moments to suffer but not too many of them. When Haaland was withdrawn with five minutes to go, there were whistles and relief; he, and they, could do no more damage. He had already done enough, right from the start of what was a long night for the home side.City were not hanging about, Haaland, Savinho and Jérémy Doku combining to force Luíz Júnior into making his first save after just 26 seconds and the Norwegian heading just wide a little over two minutes later. It was not easy to define the formation Pep Guardiola applied; at times it looked something like 3-2‑4-1, with John Stones stepping in to defence when Vil...

Politics

12 h. ago Gyökeres double adds gloss to Arsenal’s Champions League rout of Atlético

The crazy thing was that Atlético Madrid were well in this Champions League tie until the 57th minute. Diego Simeone’s team had defended robustly. They had just hit the crossbar through Julián Alvarez. But then they were not and it was the speed and brutality with which Arsenal moved the game away from them that took the breath.There were more set-piece goals, inevitably – for the breakthrough and No 4. It was Declan Rice to Gabriel Magalhães and then a repeat of the link-up, the only difference being that Gabriel headed square for Viktor Gyökeres to bundle over the line. Continue reading...

Sport

12 h. ago Barnes buries Benfica to keep Newcastle purring and pile pain on Mourinho

When José Mourinho arrived on Tyneside and immediately ­showered Eddie Howe and his players with ­lavish praise, Newcastle fans feared the worst. Although such worries ultimately evaporated, it took a fine goal from Anthony Gordon and two more from the substitute Harvey Barnes to reassure St James’ Park that Benfica’s new(ish) manager would not be inflicting any pain on Howe’s team.If Mourinho’s side, and their ­Belgium winger Dodi Lukébako especially, should remain unbowed by their contribution to an ­initially intriguing, highly compelling ­Champions League duel, Benfica’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages appear almost in tatters. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Erling Haaland stretches incredible goal record as Man City cruise past Villarreal

VILLARREAL 0-2 MANCHESTER CITY: Erling Haaland scored in a 12th successive game for club and country before Bernardo Silva sealed all three points for Pep Guardiola's side

Politics

16 h. ago Marko Lazetic told Aberdeen non negotiable he must bring weekly as Dons pal backs him to make his mark

The former AC Milan forward produced a sublime piece of skill to snatch victory right at the death against the Buddies on Saturday

Politics

18 h. ago Thibaut Courtois says La Liga plan for match in Miami ‘distorts the competition’

Courtois: ‘La Liga does whatever it wants because it suits them’Protests from players have been ignored in official broadcastsReal Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has launched a scathing attack on La Liga, criticising the league’s decision to stage Barcelona’s away match against Villarreal in Miami on 20 December, saying it “distorts the competition”.The fixture, which is set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, would be the first La Liga fixture held outside Spain and the first European league match staged abroad. While Uefa has “reluctantly” approved the plan, Real Madrid and other teams in Spain’s top flight have expressed their opposition. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Thiago deepens gloom at West Ham as Brentford triumph amid fan protest

Perhaps it was inevitable that Brentford’s first away win of the season would come in the Premier League’s unhappiest and least intimidating ground.The many West Ham fans who displayed their displeasure with the board by boycotting this fixture had the right idea. They could celebrate their decision not to subject themselves to an unspeakably abysmal performance from Nuno Espírito Santo’s muddled team. West Ham, who have started a league campaign with four successive defeats at home for the first time in their history, were shambolic. They created nothing, made bizarre substitutions, defended terribly and had accepted their fate long before Mathias Jensen, with Brentford’s 22nd shot of a horribly one-sided contest, made it 2-0 deep into added time. Continue reading...

Events

35 h. ago Thiago deepens gloom at West Ham as Brentford triumph amid fan boycott

Perhaps it was inevitable that Brentford’s first away win of the season would come in the Premier League’s unhappiest and least intimidating ground.The many West Ham fans who displayed their displeasure with the board by boycotting this fixture had the right idea. They could celebrate their decision not to subject themselves to an unspeakably abysmal performance from Nuno Espírito Santo’s muddled team. West Ham, who have started a league campaign with four successive defeats at home for the first time in their history, were shambolic. They created nothing, made bizarre substitutions, defended terribly and had accepted their fate long before Mathias Jensen, with Brentford’s 22nd shot of a horribly one-sided contest, made it 2-0 deep into added time. Continue reading...

Politics

44 h. ago Seven red cards in mass brawl then cops use tear gas to stop dressing room fight

Chaos erupted during a football match as seven players were sent off and eight players booked during a crunch clash as police had to intervene with tear gas

Politics

62 h. ago Alarm bells ringing for Arne Slot as Ruben Amorim finally ends unwanted Man Utd record

LIVERPOOL 1-2 MAN UTD: Harry Maguire was the hero as Ruben Amorim finally clinched successive Premier League wins on a huge afternoon for the Manchester United manager

Sport

63 h. ago Manchester United end wait for Anfield win as Maguire header stuns Liverpool

Manchester United fans recognise the pre-match shiver of optimism. Maybe it is blind hope but they know that their team has been able to raise their level in some of the very biggest Premier League matches under Ruben Amorim. They know there have been signs of improvement this season. And was this not a good time to play Liverpool?It is often the case that it is the prompt for a sharp reality check. After all, nobody ever really knows which United will turn up. Here, it was the version that Amorim has craved, the one he has claimed has been ready to show itself on a regular basis. Continue reading...

Politics

63 h. ago Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool as two 8/10 stars shine for Ruben Amorim

LIVERPOOL 1-2 MAN UTD: Ruben Amorim's men pulled off a stunning victory at Anfield, finally giving the Red Devils manager back-to-back wins in the Premier League

Sport

63 h. ago Man Utd stun Liverpool as Reds slump to fourth straight defeat

LIVERPOOL 1-2 MANCHESTER UNITED: Harry Maguire headed home United's late winner as the champions were stunned at Anfield and slipped to a fourth straight loss

Politics

63 h. ago Liverpool player ratings as Mo Salah and four other 5/10 stars struggle vs Man Utd

LIVERPOOL 1-2 MAN UTD: Harry Maguire scored in the final minutes of a restless game at Anfield to inflict a fourth straight defeat on the reigning Premier League champions

Sport

65 h. ago Rogers and Buendía fire Aston Villa to comeback victory against Tottenham

It has been one of the curiousities of Thomas Tuchel’s rapidly evolving England side that until today the man in possession of the No 10 shirt had not scored all season.Morgan Rogers put paid to that statistic with a sumptuous strike to equalise for Aston Villa near half-time, before the substitute Emiliano Buendía grabbed an unexpected winner for the visitors with 13 minutes remaining. Continue reading...

Events

65 h. ago Rogers and Buendía fire Aston Villa to victory and expose Tottenham’s frailties

It is one of the curiosities of Thomas Tuchel’s rapidly evolving England side that until today the man in possession of the No 10 shirt had not scored all season.Morgan Rogers put paid to that statistic with a sumptuous strike to equalise for Aston Villa, before the more prolific substitute Emiliano Buendía scored his third goal in four games to win the match with a lovely finish, condemning the home side to leave the field to a chorus of boos. Continue reading...

Events

66 h. ago Police investigate after violent scenes at football match in Oldham

The match in Oldham was abandoned after the mass brawl erupted in front of children

Events

67 h. ago Celtic see Maggie Thatcher ghost as Dundee fuel Hearts title hopes amid fans rage – 5 talking points

Clark Robertson’s header and a Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal secured Steven Pressley’s superb side a sensational victory to spark their season

Politics

68 h. ago Tommy Robinson hints he will attend Aston Villa match which banned Israeli footballs fans as he visits Tel Aviv

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson invited followers to join him in Birmingham to support Maccabi Tel Aviv, whose supporters have been barred from attending next month's fixture at Villa Park.

Politics

2 d. ago Football match abandoned after brawl breaks out as' keeper punches fan'

Shocking footage shared on social media shows tensions flare between Kidsgrove players and fans of home side Arvo FC in the closing stages of a feisty affair which had already seen three red cards

Sport